Kemin is pleased to confirm that 100 percent of its rosemary production is certified Sustainably Grown following an audit conducted by SCS Global Services (SCS), becoming the first and only in the world to obtain a third-party certification of this type for rosemary.

Sustainably Grown is one of the most stringent certification standards, supporting long-term sustainable agricultural production by identifying crops grown in accordance with exceptional environmental and social responsibility as well as quality and safety requirements.

“Today's consumers are more interested in supporting sustainable agriculture practices than ever,” said Linda Brown, SCS senior vice president. “This certification assures Kemin Industries’ customers that the rosemary in its rosemary-based products is not just high-quality but produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way.”

Kemin has invested millions of dollars to develop a sustainable, agronomic approach to growing scientifically advanced rosemary. Using conventional plant breeding, the company develops proprietary lines of rosemary that generate raw material for a range of natural rosemary extract-based ingredients for the food, pet food, health and personal care industries. Today, Kemin has more than 1,100 acres of conventionally bred and genetically identical rosemary plants in production.

“Our vertically integrated system uses the best growing practices to produce a consistent, sustainable and cost-effective supply of rosemary extract-based ingredients that enhance the agro-ecosystem rather than endanger it,” said Dr. John Greaves, Kemin vice president of specialty crops.

The sustainable, agronomic path Kemin has chosen differs greatly from a popular but less widely known approach. Approximately 80 percent of rosemary that is used as a spice or for extraction is harvested from the wild in the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and North Africa under license from sovereign governments. This dramatically alters the natural ecology of these delicate semi-arid ecosystems and produces widely varying quality in the product.

Dedicated to sustainable and environmental farming practices, Kemin contracts with family farmers in Texas and New Mexico to grow its proprietary rosemary varieties. This partnership not only increases the quality and quantity of crops but improves farming practices, promotes healthy working conditions and builds community relations.

As consumers continue to demand more natural products, Kemin is committed to investing and developing more natural, plant-based ingredients. Other specialty crops the company has in production include marigold, spearmint and potato, with new plants under development.